Usefulness of intraoperative ultrasound examination for laparoscopic right-side colon cancer surgery: a propensity score-matched study.

Complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vascular ligation (CVL) in laparoscopic surgery for right-sided colon cancer (RSCC) requires a precise understanding of the vascular anatomy. The efficacy of intraoperative ultrasound (IUS) in the identification of blood vessels for RSCC surgery was not evaluated. The aim of this study was to compare the intraoperative and short-term outcomes of CME with CVL with or without IUS by laparoscopic surgery for RSCC. We performed IUS on 26 patients of RSCC and compared with a total of 124 patients who underwent the surgery for RSCC at our institution. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to reduce the confounding effects to imbalances in the use of IUS. The IUS identified the main feeding artery and the accompanying vein in all 26 cases. After PSM, the amount of intraoperative blood loss in the IUS group was significantly lower than that in the conventional group (5 ml vs. 30 ml, p = 0.035) and no significant difference of the postoperative complications was observed. The IUS reduced the risk of bleeding in the surgery for RSCC. The IUS is a safe and feasible technique that help the surgeons for anatomical understandings under real-time condition in the laparoscopic surgery of RSCC.

[Surgical Technique for Mesorectal Division in the Robotic Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer].

Since April 2018, robot-assisted rectal resection has been approved as an insurance medical treatment, and robot- assisted rectal resection is rapidly becoming widespread. Even in robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery, mesorectal division is difficult in a narrow pelvic cavity. At the beginning of the operation, Vessel Sealer ExtendTM(price 89,250 yen)was used, but as the procedure became stable, the mesorectal division was started with bipolar forceps and monopolar scissors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mesorectal division time and postoperative complications associated with changes in the procedure. 36 patients who underwent robot-assisted anterior resection for rectal cancer by the same surgeon from January 2019 to December 2021. We compared mesorectal division time and postoperative complication. Median operation time were 267 minutes, median console time were 132 minutes. There were no complications such as intestinal obstruction or anastomotic leakage. There was no difference in mesorectal division time time between Vessel Sealer groups and Scissors groups(14 min 55 sec vs 16 min 5 sec). The mesorectal division with bipolar forceps and monopolar scissors could be performed without extending the operation time, and could be performed with cost-benefit and safely.

Comparison of Short-Term Surgical Outcomes of Two Types of Robotic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: Ultrasonic Shears Method Versus the Maryland Bipolar Forceps Method.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the impact and short-term surgical outcomes of two different main energy devices for robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The outcomes of robotic gastrectomy with ultrasonic shears and those of robotic gastrectomy with conventional forceps were compared. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 171 patients who underwent robotic distal gastrectomy or total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. We classified patients into the ultrasonic shears (US) and Maryland bipolar (MB) forceps groups according to the main energy device used for robotic gastrectomy. RESULTS: We extracted 58 patients from the US group and 58 patients from the MB forceps groups using propensity score matching. The total console time (310 min [interquartile range (IQR), 253-369 min] and 332 min, [IQR, 294-429 min]; p = 0.022) and the console time to gastrectomy (222 min [IQR, 177-266 min] and 247 min [IQR, 208-321 min]; p = 0.004) were significantly shorter in the US group than in the MB forceps group. Less blood loss occurred in the US group than in the MB forceps group (20 mL [IQR, 10-40 mL] and 30 mL [IQR, 16-80 mL]; p = 0.014). The postoperative complication rate and postoperative hospital stay length were similar between groups. A multivariate multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that the use of an ultrasonically activated device was one an independent factor that reduced the operative time of robotic gastrectomy. CONCLUSION: Using ultrasonic shears as the main energy device may contribute to better surgical outcomes after robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

[Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Treated with Two-Staged Pancreaticoduodenectomy after Laparoscopic Median Arcuate Ligament Section-A Case Report].

A 76-year-old male was diagnosed as locally advanced pancreatic cancer because abdominal CT scan revealed a pancreatic head tumor with involvement of the proper hepatic artery. Gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel was initiated, but was discontinued because interstitial pneumonia was occurred. The treatment was switched to S-1 therapy and achieved stable disease for 22 months. Therefore, conversion surgery was scheduled. Because stenosis of the celiac artery origin due to median arcuate ligament(MAL)compression and dilatation of pancreatoduodenal artery arcade were observed, laparoscopic MAL section was performed. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 5 without complications. Postoperative CT scan revealed no stenosis of the celiac artery origin and disappearance of dilatation of pancreatoduodenal artery arcade. On postoperative day 14, subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD)with portal vein resection was performed. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 19 without complications. Two-staged PD after MAL section make possible to evaluate blood flow accurately and select an appropriate operative method. Laparoscopic MAL section is minimally invasive and may be useful for two-staged PD in patients with celiac axis stenosis.

[A Case of Robotic Surgery for Local and Peritoneal Recurrence of Colorectal Cancer].

A 35-year-old women with sigmoid cancer(pT4aN1aM0, pStage Ⅲb)underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy. She had 8 courses of CapeOX for adjuvant chemotherapy, but follow up CT scan 1 year after the operation detected intraabdominal nodules in anastomotic site and in left lower quadrant of abdomen. After 10 courses of IRIS plus bevacizumab, the both intraabdominal nodules decreased in size. Robot assisted laparoscopic lower anterior resection and laparoscopic disseminated nodule resection were performed. The patient had no postoperative complications and the postoperative course was good. She remains alive without recurrence at 6 months after the second operation.

[A Case of Advanced Gastric Cancer-Recurrence of Skin Metastasis Nine Years after Surgery and Rectal Stenosis Due to Peritoneal Dissemination Ten Years Later].

A 70-year-old man previously underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer in 2010 and pathological diagnoses were pT4a, pN3, M0, pStage ⅢC. The postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was interrupted due to nausea, but the patient had no apparent recurrence within 5 years after gastrectomy. In 2019, a swelling appeared from the left inguinal region to the scrotum, and MRI scan showed subcutaneous edematous changes in the same region. Biopsy showed adenocarcinoma and we diagnosed a recurrence of gastric cancer with skin metastasis. In November 2020, the patient complained of defecation disorder, and CT scan showed a circumferential wall thickening with contrast effect in the rectum. Although colonoscopy revealed rectal stenosis, biopsy specimen showed no malignant findings. We suspected rectal stenosis due to peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer and performed a colostomy. Intraoperative findings showed that the rectal wall was remarkably thickened with serosal erythema. Adenocarcinoma cells were found from the cytology of ascites. The patient was treated with nab-paclitaxel plus ramucirumab, then treated with nivolumab after failure of first-line therapy.

Percutaneous transesophageal gastro-tubing for the management of anastomotic leakage after upper GI surgery: a report of two clinical cases.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage is a serious, sometimes critical complication of upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgery. The cavity and target drainage tubes are difficult to reach; therefore, a nasogastric tube (NGT) and fasting are required for an extended period. We successfully treated and managed two patients with anastomotic leakage using percutaneous transesophageal gastro-tubing (PTEG). CASE PRESENTATION: In case 1, a 79-year-old man with gastric cancer underwent total gastrectomy; 1 week later, he underwent emergent open laparotomy due to panperitonitis attributed to anastomotic leakage-related jejunojejunostomy. We resected the portion between esophagojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy and reconstructed it using the Roux-en-Y technique. On postoperative day (POD) 9, anastomotic leakage was diagnosed at the esophagojejunostomy site and jejunotomy staple line. After using a circular stapler for jejunojejunostomy, a stapled jejunal closure was added. We inserted an NGT and performed aspiration for bowel decompression. As he did not improve within 2 weeks, we decided to perform PTEG to free him of the NGT. We kept performing intermittent aspiration; leakage stopped shortly after, due to effective inner drainage. The PTEG catheter was removed after oral intake was restarted. In case 2, an 81-year-old man with esophagogastric junction cancer underwent resection of the distal esophagus and proximal stomach. After shaping the remnant stomach, esophagogastrostomy was performed under the right thoracotomy. On POD 11, anastomotic leakage was identified, along with a mediastinal abscess. We inserted an NGT into the abscess cavity through the anastomotic leakage site. On POD 25, we performed PTEG and inserted a drainage tube, instead of an NGT. Although the abscess cavity disappeared, anastomotic leakage persisted as a fistula. We exchanged the PTEG with a double elementary diet (W-ED) tube with jejunal extension, with the side hole located near the anastomosis. The anastomotic fistula disappeared after treatment. Dysphagia persisted due to disuse atrophy of swallowing musculature; PTEG was useful for enteral feeding, even after the leakage occurred. CONCLUSION: Patients are sometimes forced to endure pain for a long time for transnasal inner drainage. Using PTEG, patients will be free of sinus pain and discomfort; PTEG should be helpful for patients withstanding NGT.

[A Case of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Successfully Treated with Liver Resection after Administration of Sorafenib].

CASE: A 76-year-old man was referred to our hospital for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)with chronic hepatitis type B. Although he underwent right anterior sectionectomy and S3 segmentectomy, multiple recurrences were found in the hepatic remnant after 2 months. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)and transcatheter arterial infusion (TAI)were performed separately. One and a half month after the last TAI, AFP and PIVKA-Ⅱ levels markedly elevated, and multiple early enhancing nodules with portal vein tumor thrombosis were detected on CT. A half dose of sorafenib(400mg/ day)was administered to the patient who was refractory to TACE. Sorafenib was discontinued after 4 weeks because the patient developed general fatigue and anorexia(Grade 3). Furthermore, these adverse events became worse, and ascites appeared. He was hospitalized in the palliative care unit for best supportive care for 3 weeks and also received outpatient treatment for more than 14 months. Fifteen months after discontinuing sorafenib administration, his condition improved dramatically, and CT revealed that the multiple HCC had reduced in size. Moreover, the portal vein tumor thrombosis disappeared. As his performance status and liver function were well preserved, he underwent partial hepatectomy for residual HCC. The patient remains alive without recurrence at 18 months, despite no administration of sorafenib. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates that sorafenib administration combined with surgical treatment could possibly cure advanced HCC refractory to TACE.

[Clinical Significance of Preoperative Chemotherapy for Advanced Colorectal Cancer].

We examined 22 cases who underwent preoperative chemotherapy in our hospital from 2013 April to 2018 December. Seven patients were treated as neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC). Out of 15 patients with unresectable diseases before chemotherapy, 6 patients were able to R0 resection after chemotherapy(conversion). Although only one patients was underwent RM1 resection, the other patients were underwent RM0 resection. The median overall survival was 42 months in NAC group, 28 months in conversion group, and 17 months in palliative resection group, respectively. Recurrence was observed in 1 patient in NAC group, however, all patients had recurrent disease in conversion group. In this study, although further examination should be done according to the clinical significance of preoperative chemotherapy, preoperative chemotherapy may be carried out without severe adverse event and severe postoperative complication.

[A Case Report with R0 Resection for Locally Advanced Appendiceal Cancer Invading to the Right External Iliac Vessels].

A 46-year-old man presented with right lower quadrant pain. Enhanced CT revealed a 30 mm sized irregular shaped mass originating from the appendix and invading the abdominal wall. We performed the laparoscopic appendectomy. Finally, the pathologic finding revealed a local advanced appendiceal carcinoma. From the intraoperative findings, the residual tumor was existed around the right external iliac vessels and abdominal wall. The patient was treated with chemotherapy for 13 months. Although the residual tumor encased the right external iliac vessels, the abdominal wall, and psoas major muscle, there were no signs of distant metastasis. We performed ileocecal resection with D3 lymph node dissection. The right external iliac vessels, abdominal wall, and psoas major muscle were resected simultaneously, and reconstructed by femoral- femoral bypass. As a result, R0 resection was achieved pathologically.